What Parents Need to Know About HPV

by Mohimenul Islam SEO service provider

Dear Parents:

If I told you that someone you loved, or you yourself, could show no sign of a disease, but still be infected with one, would you not want to do everything in your power to help yourself or someone you loved? If I told you that you could prevent something like this from happening, would you try to prevent it? Most individuals would answer yes. I too am someone who would answer yes. Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity for prevention. What I got, at 20 years of age, was a diagnosis of Stage 2 Cervical Cancer. This diagnosis meant that aside from surgery after surgery and endless hours of hospital visits for what seemed like endless treatments, I would no longer be able to mother a child. Now, make no mistake, I am grateful for my life. But, this didn't have to happen to me.

According to Merck and Company's HPV.com Site, cervical cancer is caused by certain forms of HPV. There are four, major forms of HPV that infect women across America. 3 out of those 4 forms of HPV are cervical cancer causes. Shockingly, 8 out of 10 women will be infected with HPV in their lifetimes. More troubling, is the idea that HPV often has no signs or symptoms. Most women won't even know that they are infected, until their reach about 50 to 65 years of age- often when it is hardest to fight diseases because the body is ailing. How is HPV contracted?

HPV is contracted through genital contact. I cannot stress enough that this does not mean the same as sexual intercourse. In fact, simply touching genital areas can cause HPV. Again, most women are infected, and never know about it; or they find out much later in life.

Parents, your time is now. You must talk with your children- males and females- about the ills of HPV. There are things that can be done. HPV offers a vaccine that can save many, more serious ailments, later. Sure, I have heard the arguments against the vaccine. "Vaccinating my children is like encouraging sexual behavior." "I need to think about this vaccine, there are side effects." "This vaccine has no real precedence. How do I know that it really works?"

If you have heard or believe one of the above statements/ questions, consider this:

Every day, about 12,000 people between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected with HPV. If infected with HPV, there are treatments available. From personal experience, those treatments include surgical procedures designed to burn away the infected areas. There are risks involved. Should the burned area not heal properly, infections and cists are possible. Perhaps though, HPV has caused Cervical Cancer. Aside from dealing with a life-threatening illness, chemotherapy and radiation treatments will make your daughters weak, frail and truly sicker than anything they have ever faced. The sheer pain, from chemo, is enough to make an individual wish for death- again, trust me. So, parents, is it worth the risk?

Regardless of your choice, educate your daughters on what to expect with HPV and how it is contracted. Take them in for regular Pap tests and ensure that they understand consequences of their actions. Above all, let them see the faces of women who have contracted HPV- like me- who have had one sexual partner. These truths should be enough to quell common misconceptions that teens have.

Parents, it is your responsibility to care for your children. Please, consider this information and make the right choice for you and your children. I would have enjoyed being one less statistic. I just wasn't educated enough.

Sincerely,

A Cancer Survivor